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Educator Pathways

Intermediate School District 287 is committed to helping you achieve your goal of becoming a licensed special education teacher. With a variety of opportunities, ISD 287 staff are able to benefit from programs to fit their educational needs. The primary focus of these opportunities is to enable undergraduates and graduate students to obtain a categorical special education license in the following areas: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Developmental Cognitive Disability (DCD) or Emotional Behavioral Disability (EBD).  Currently, ISD 287 has created partnerships for teacher pathways with MSU Mankato, St. Cloud State University and Normandale Community College. 

There are three specific pathways with various avenues for financial support:

West Metro Partnership (WMP): Unique because staff do not need to start with a bachelor’s degree. 

Grow Your Own (GYO): Intended to support staff in their education to diversify the teacher workforce. This program can support individuals looking to start their postsecondary education as well as those who have attended postsecondary institutions in the past.

ASD/EBD Licensure Pathway Program: An innovative opportunity new to Minnesota in which staff go through a selection process to experience a “learn while you work” model. This program was formerly known as ITRAC (Intermediate District Teacher Residency Apprenticeship Collaborative) but has since been rebranded to reflect the inclusion of independent school districts. Staff need approximately 53 credits towards their education degree and must also complete a rigorous selection process before being admitted.

Learn more about how this new apprenticeship program helps teachers start strong featuring a journey worker and apprentice from ISD 287.

The image features a smiling individual wearing headphones and a black shirt, with text describing them as Minnesota's first registered teacher apprentices. The background includes logos and information related to the program.
The image features a smiling young woman named Annessa Pederson, who is identified as one of Minnesota's first registered teacher apprentices. The background includes logos and text providing additional context about the program.
The image features a smiling man with a beard in the foreground, surrounded by various icons and text highlighting his role as Minnesota's first registered teacher apprentice.
The image features a smiling woman with long brown hair, identified as Kaycie Clemens, who is described as Minnesota's first registered teacher apprentice. The background includes logos and text providing additional information about the program.
The image features a headshot of a smiling man wearing a baseball cap, with text introducing him as Alvin Chambers, Minnesota's first registered teacher apprentice. The background includes logos and text providing additional context about the program.
The image features a smiling man with a beard wearing a navy blue shirt, along with text introducing him as one of Minnesota's first registered teacher apprentices. The background includes various logos and information about the program.
The image features a smiling woman in the foreground, with text and logos in the background providing information about Minnesota's first registered teacher apprentices.

Thoughts from the Field

ITRAC Overview

Program Staff

ISD 287 staff interested in furthering their education by acquiring special education teacher certification can learn more about these opportunities by emailing TeacherPrep@district287.org. 

Roshonda White, Navigator Coach (rnwhite@district287.org)

Kat Field, Senior Manager of Educator Pathways (kefield@district287.org)